The NFL scouting combine has a way of changing things. What it alters, however, might be perception more so than actual draft boards.
The annual summit in Indianapolis holds a special place on the league’s offseason calendar, marking a two-month march to the start of the 2026 NFL draft itself. For front offices, a bulk of the evaluation work has already been completed, with multiple general managers this week reinforcing that the combine merely serves as one form of a check on a much larger process. But while teams prioritize the information gleaned from medical updates and meetings with prospects, that behind-the-scenes fodder gets overshadowed by the fanfare of on-field work and testing.
As workouts begin Feb. 26, here’s our latest NFL mock draft first-round projection:
2026 NFL mock draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
No combine workout for the obvious choice for the top spot – and none is necessary. Mendoza cleared nearly every bar he faced en route to winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Hoosiers to a national title, and an on-field session would do little to address his most prominent ding: a shortage of resourcefulness when things break down. Circle his pro day if you really must see him throw again in an exhibition setting, but his spot atop the draft is seemingly secure.
2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
Maybe the projection to full-time edge rusher could be a little more complicated than some are willing to admit, with Reese still having considerable work to do to become a preeminent threat in that phase. Still, even in an off-ball role, Reese gets wherever he needs to be in a hurry, demonstrating a punishing punch before harnessing an impressive finishing touch. It’s a nice bonus to this pre-draft process that he’ll test alongside others.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Spencer Fano, OT Utah
There’s a compelling case to be made here for Arizona to focus on one of the draft’s top edge rushers, who could team with Josh Sweat to create the level of havoc necessary to slow the rest of the NFC West competition. But one glance at the free agency crop reinforces that any team looking to repair its offensive tackle outlet probably will have to do so through the draft – and early on in the order. With Fano, the Cardinals could set the table for a potential changing of the guard behind center as the Mike LaFleur era kicks off.
4. Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
Robert Saleh surely doesn’t want to be forced to test the bounds of his creativity in conjuring a pass rush again after last season’s experience as defensive coordinator for the injury-hampered San Francisco 49ers. And general manager Mike Borgonzi doesn’t seem inclined to put his new coach in a similar spot of desperation, either. Saleh on Tuesday spoke about the importance of arm length in his defensive scheme, which might indicate to some that the Titans might look past Bain and his truncated build. But Saleh also called Bain’s tape ‘undeniable’ and said that he plays with ‘incredible violence.’
5. New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
WR2 for the Buckeyes is starting to look a lot like WR1 in this class. Tate has played alongside some greats at Ohio State, and he is now poised to be the next pass catcher to raise the floor considerably for his future quarterback. He’d not only change the skill-position landscape beyond Malik Nabers for Jaxson Dart in Year 2 for the quarterback, but also amplify one of the signal-caller’s best traits in his downfield passing prowess.
6. Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)
Andrew Berry and new coach Todd Monken sure could use a similar return on investment this April to the one they struck with last year’s draft class – only with a heavier skew toward the offensive side of the ball this time around. Mauigoa seems like the kind of consistent, stabilizing presence that could do wonders for Cleveland at perhaps its biggest area of concern.
7. Washington Commanders – David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech
Dan Quinn’s defense needs playmakers in whatever form they come. Maybe that necessitates a long look at Caleb Downs despite questions of positional value for a safety in the top 10. Bailey, however, would give Washington the consistent disruption off the edge that has been absent in Quinn and Adam Peters’ time at the helm.
8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Despite having little reason to do so, the top back in this year’s class will run the 40 and go through a workout. That might serve as a bit of a tease for what he can offer teams as a big-play weapon out of the backfield, but the real showcase came in the last two years, when he ripped off 35 touchdowns on the ground for the Fighting Irish. The surging Saints still have plenty of holes and might be indulging in a bit of a luxury with this pick, but the bones are there for New Orleans to build an explosive attack around Tyler Shough.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
It feels like a big swing or two could be coming for a Kansas City team intent on recapturing its status as the AFC’s leading contender. Perhaps one will take place in free agency if the team strikes out for a running back to repair a rudderless rushing attack that too often left everything squarely on the shoulders of Patrick Mahomes. But the receiving corps is also in need of reinforcements, and Lemon’s knack for generating rapid separation would add a new flavor to the group.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
In what feels like a fairly straightforward start to the draft, Cincinnati feels like a possible wild card, especially if it zeroes in on an offensive line choice outside of the top three edge rushers. In this scenario, however, there’s no reason to go bold. Downs would be a sensible selection for any defense in search of a tone-setter in the secondary, but particularly for a Bengals defense that was repeatedly burned down the seam last season and allowed the second-most yards per carry (5.2) in the league.
11. Miami Dolphins – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
A cornerback with middling traits might not be the most scintillating way to kick off a new era in Miami. But don’t let the raw physical attributes overshadow the overall picture with Delane. The Virginia Tech transfer put the clamps on every receiver he faced last season, and his advanced approach to coverage should allow him to make a smooth transition for a secondary that has been on shaky ground for some time.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
One year after rolling the dice on a cornerback with medical concerns in third-rounder Shavon Revel Jr., Jerry Jones does so again with much higher stakes. McCoy sat out all last season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in January, but his coverage credentials are unimpeachable.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
How’s this for a way for Los Angeles to make the most of Matthew Stafford’s remaining years? While cornerback looks like a pressing problem, Les Snead shouldn’t force the issue here with the top two options off the board. Tyson could feast in the Rams’ aerial attack as a third option and provide some long-term comfort with Davante Adams turning 34 this year.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
It might be a period of upheaval for the Ravens’ interior line, which could be poised to lose All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency despite general manager Eric DeCosta saying the team had made a ‘market-setting offer.’ One step toward stability would be importing Ioane, who could make a legitimate claim as being the best blocker in this class.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
If Jason Licht returns to the Ohio State well one year after hitting it big with Emeka Egbuka, there would be plenty of alignment between player and team once again. Styles would serve Tampa Bay’s defense extremely well with his reliable run fits and substantial upside in coverage, and the Bucs figure to be drawn to his leadership. This might represent his floor, however, as he could end up in the conversation to go even earlier with a potentially dazzling combine performance.
16. New York Jets – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Unless Gang Green finds a solution behind center in free agency or via the trade market, the quarterback question could hang over the team for some time – possibly into 2027. Rather than reach for someone like Alabama’s Ty Simpson here, the Jets could set their aerial attack up for long-term success by bringing aboard Boston, a contested catch maestro who would pair well with Garrett Wilson.
17. Detroit Lions – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
Yes, he’ll be 25 years old as a rookie. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell might be able to look past that to Mesidor’s relentless approach as a rusher. Between his hard-charging style and advanced arsenal of moves, the 6-3, 265-pounder would fit well along a Lions line looking for a long-term running mate for Aidan Hutchinson.
18. Minnesota Vikings – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
After the preseason talk of a potential top-five spot fizzled out, Woods sizes up as one of the more difficult prospects to peg in this class. Landing in Minnesota and leading the charge up front for Brian Flores’ defense, however, could help the immensely talented interior disruptor get off to a strong start in the pros.
19. Carolina Panthers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
Like Woods, the 6-6, 285-pound defensive lineman might have a bit of volatility to his stock after he didn’t make the leap many envisioned for him before the season. Finding the right schematic fit will be essential to his development, but Faulk could flourish under Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
20. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
New defensive coordinator Christian Parker made clear last week that he wanted to let the talent on hand determine the outline of a scheme. With McNeil-Warren patrolling the back end, however, there would be plenty of options at Dallas’ disposal. His physical demeanor when working downhill against the run should make him a favorite of Jones, and he can be a similarly punishing presence in coverage.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Surprised? Cooper hasn’t been the mainstay of the first-round conversations like the other receivers here, but his skill set would go a long way toward curing the Steelers’ ills. A bull with the ball in his hands, he can do plenty of heavy lifting in the short-to-intermediate area and as a run-after-catch threat.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Jim Harbaugh showed off his innovative streak by hiring Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. In Sadiq, the Chargers would find a weapon that could satisfy the preferences of both their head coach and their new play-caller. Mismatches would be sure to follow in the passing game, but the hybrid threat also can make serious waves as a run blocker.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
When I projected Freeling to the Eagles here in my last mock draft, it felt as though I was going out on a limb. Now, this might be too late of a spot for the ascendant protector. Lane Johnson is back for another year at right tackle, and the pass rush might need significant resources if Philadelphia doesn’t retain Jaelan Phillips. But Howie Roseman still might feel a pull to get a key part of his front’s long-term future sorted out.
24. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Browns might mirror several quarterback-deficient teams on this list in being better positioned to put the bones of a competent passing attack in place before identifying a worthwhile trigger man. Concepcion would certainly enliven the perimeter for Cleveland with his field-stretching flair.
25. Chicago Bears – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
At 6-6 and 335 pounds with more than enough quickness to make himself a fixture in opposing backfields, Banks stands out a good bit in a class filled with mostly pocket pushers at defensive tackle. He doesn’t dispatch blockers as quickly as one might like to see from a player with his physical capabilities, and finishing plays remains somewhat of an adventure for him. Still, the potential is there for Banks to go considerably higher than this, so Chicago might have to leap at the opportunity to electrify its interior.
26. Buffalo Bills – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson
There will be ample pressure here for Brandon Beane to make a significant upgrade to Josh Allen’s weaponry after his previous insistence that there was nothing wrong with the composition of the receiver room. Landing a target capable of changing the complexion of the group, however, might require moving up in the order, as the top options look liable to be gone by this point. Beane can address another point of unease by selecting the powerful Parker to give new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard a more settled edge rush.
27. San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
One of the NFL’s more well-stocked rosters could experience a dose of urgency if the reports of stalled contract negotiations with 12-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams come to a head. San Francisco could have several different directions to turn, but Lomu might represent the most promising potential solution. Though underdeveloped, the 6-6, 308-pounder is an easy mover with considerable room for growth upon some technical refinement and strength gains.
28. Houston Texans – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Even with the strides made in pass protection last year, the Texans still seem at least a little unsettled up front. Keeping Tytus Howard at left guard might be the optimal route for Houston, but doing so would create some uncertainty at right tackle. The ultra-reliable Miller, who started for four years at Clemson, could step in as the final piece of the puzzle.
29. Rams – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
At 5-11 and 180 pounds, Terrell wouldn’t bulk up the undersized back end of the Rams’ defense. Yet his fluidity and versatility could help Los Angeles patch up the various big-play leaks that sprang up repeatedly down the stretch for the unit.
30. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The more modestly built Allen (6-1, 235 pounds) takes a backseat to Styles but few others among off-ball linebackers. Though he might not string together many splash plays, the Georgia product can be counted on to get himself and his teammates in the right spots. That’s a distinctly valuable asset for a Denver defense that could be in additional turbulence at the second level if Alex Singleton and/or Justin Strnad depart in free agency.
31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M
Patriots personnel chief Eliot Wolf said Feb. 24 at the NFL scouting combine that to be a successful pass rusher, ‘you can’t just be a run-around-the-hoop guy at this level.’ That mindset could point him toward Howell, who mitigates concerns about his power and frame (6-2, 248 pounds) by deploying a solid set of moves, including some feisty inside counters.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Out goes one extremely athletic cornerback, in comes another? The Seahawks might lose Riq Woolen – and possibly Josh Jobe, too – in free agency, but they could find his replacement in the draft with Cisse, who’s still mastering the finer points of the position but would form a scintillating tandem with Devon Witherspoon on the outside.
This post appeared first on USA TODAY
